Who’s ready for an epic cover reveal? E. William Podojil is here to reveal the cover for his upcoming release, Archipelago. If your favorite genre is techno-thriller, suspense, or science fiction, you’re going to want to check out this cover reveal.
Drumroll please…
Isn’t the cover stunning? It’s perfect for this story. Scroll down to read an excerpt.
Title Archipelago
Author E. William Podojil
Genre Techno-Thriller, Suspense, Science Fiction
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb
Pierre Baptiste has everything money can buy, but he still wants more, even the impossible. After years of searching, he has finally found the secret that mankind has sought for eons. The only problem is that it’s sunken below the turquoise waters of the South Pacific Ocean. Following a tragic event, The Herb Society, along with Lukas and Taylor are unwittingly pulled into Baptiste’s twisted plan to not only find a lost continent but unlock the secrets to a precious material that is only found near an archipelago he believes to be the remainder of this sunken world. Baptiste knows this material is more precious than all the gold in the world and he has big plans for it. When The Herb Society discovers Pierre Baptiste’s nefarious agenda, they unlock a global conspiracy led by the world’s rich and powerful that would completely alter civilization to their advantage for generations to come.
Now The Herb Society, Lukas, Taylor, Tory and her boyfriend, Pepe are thrust into the plot and must fight the forces of nature and evil to save mankind from an unimaginable future. But will they be able to stop Pierre and his clever friends from initiating the countdown to an apocalypse?
Excerpt
Long drapes flowed over windows and ambient lighting glowed to provide just enough light to add a sensual mystery to the room. They entered the salon of Pierre Baptiste’s private stateroom, which seemed too large to be onboard a ship. Expensive art hung on the walls and spotlights accented sculptures ranging from ancient Polynesian to a dark bronze Botero statue of a genderless human form. Colored lights glowed from inside a floor-to-ceiling aquarium that covered a wall where Pierre showcased some of his lethal sea creatures. Besides tropical salt-water fish, there were starfish, eels, and what looked like a sea cucumber. Two of the world’s most venomous animals, a box jellyfish and a tiny blue-ringed octopus, skulked in opposing corners of the aquarium. A third lethal specimen, a juvenile yellow-bellied sea snake, attempted to mimic a piece of seagrass, similar to the actual ones growing from the aquarium floor.
“It’s my deadly trifecta,” Pierre boasted. “A bite from any of these three animals can be fatal within minutes, or sometimes seconds.”
“Lovely creatures,” Lukas said without sarcasm. “Your pets?”
“Their venom paralyzes the central nervous system and diaphragm muscles, rendering the victim unable to breathe,” Pierre informed them. “They are all native to the South Pacific. It fascinates me how the loveliest seas contain the deadliest sea life.”
Marcel the dog galloped into Pierre’s salon, his tail wagging happily as he nudged the visitors for affection.
“Which number in the line of Marcels is...?” Molly checked the dog’s gender, “he?”
“Number five.” Pierre smiled through gritted teeth. “I don’t like to talk about his predecessors. He understands French and English and knows what we talk about.”
Taylor stared outside one of the large windows and saw burning tiki torches bathing the grounds of the San Rafael in a fire-generated light that flickered and cast long shadows. The tambor of beating drums echoed across the lagoon and indicated a Polynesian luau was underway on land. He focused his eyes across the dancing shadows and hoped to see his daughter Tory. I wonder if she said yes, he thought.
Baptiste explained details about his art that nobody had asked him about, and how he had one of the most expensive art collections to grace a ship, showcasing some prized sculptures ranging from a Greek kouros to Rodin and complemented by Polynesian totems and tribal art. A long, sleek, and transparent table stretched across the room. Lukas quickly counted the place settings adorned with fine china and crystal. He calculated the number of guests, plus Baptiste and there were two extra place settings. Who else is coming to dinner? he thought to himself as he perused original Gauguin, Degas, Warhol, and lesser-known artists’ paintings. Pacific Islander figures were carved into the high backs of eleven dining chairs. Their mother-of- pearl eyes seemed to move or change. Carved wooden eyes of the tribal sculptures danced, illuminated by the flickering votives atop the table. Each chair was unique but consisted of faces with mournful eyes staring in anguish or ecstasy. Lukas made a mental note to ask Pierre more about them.
A large Basquiat painting, exploding with color, anger, and humor, captivated Taylor who seemed lost in the meaning behind it.
“This could be about Heaven, Hell, the Garden of Eden, who knows?” Baptiste commented. “Many of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s works depict meanings known only to him. He died so young we may never know.”
Taylor continued to study it. “What’s your take on it?” he asked Pierre.
“I don’t know,” Pierre continued. “It reminds me of Adam and Eve, the expulsion from paradise, the death and destruction wrought upon the world.”
Taylor’s eyes widened. “Oh, a happy painting.”
Baptiste snickered. “Most good art is borne from pain.”
Their attention was drawn to a stately couple entering the dining salon. Taylor and Lukas recognized them both, despite the context in which they met. They both approached the handsome pair.
“Gael, Kailani, what a nice surprise to see you again!” Lukas truly was surprised, but happy to see them.
Captain Diana Kepler brushed by Gael, a sly smile on her lips. Kailani looked downward, maybe in shyness. Probably in disgust.
“Mr. Baptiste requests us when he visits the island,” Gael explained.
“I can see why,” Taylor added. “You both have magic in your hands. Truly a gift. Lukas and I felt like we were ten years younger after our sessions.”
“Massage is part of our culture,” Kailani explained. “Gael and I grew up learning these techniques, how to detect energy, manipulate it. The energy is already yours; we simply find it and move it to a place where you can use it.”
Lukas cocked his head and smiled at Taylor. Well we certainly used it! he thought. Taylor smiled back, a reference understood without verbalizing it. “When did you both come on board?” he asked the couple.
“You were our last appointment. Mr. Baptiste sent a boat for us soon after,” Kailani responded.
“Your blue pearls look even more intense tonight.” Lukas wondered if they were actually glowing.
“It’s because they know we are on the water,” Kailani commented. “Closer to their home.”
“The islanders where we are from wear them every day until they die,” Gael elaborated. “Then they are passed to the next generation.”
Pierre clapped his hands, summoning everyone to the table. Uniformed attendants ushered the women into their seats and then repeated with the men. Captain Kepler sat directly to Pierre’s right. Frosted flutes of champagne were delivered to each guest.
“While we wait for our first course, I want to thank you for coming aboard and agreeing to have dinner with me.” Baptiste raised a glass to his guests. “I’d also like to welcome Gael and Kailani to the party and appreciate all they have done for me. And especially, what I need you to do next.” Gael smiled uncomfortably, apparently unaware of what this may be. Kailani stared coolly at Pierre.
Lukas, seated next to his husband, leaned over and discreetly spoke to Taylor. “I have a weird feeling about this. Feels random, but very staged.”
Taylor nodded in agreement. “Maybe it’s a billionaire thing. World revolves around him so he’s showing us his toys.”
“Impressive toys.” Lukas chuckled nervously as he caught a glimpse of his mother whose placid face masked something. He’d seen that look many times. Was it surprise, fear, or some other emotion she intentionally tried to hide? He still could not discern her simple boredom with something or whether she was absolutely furious. Something was going on and his mother sensed it, too.
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Author Biography
E. William Podojil is an international business executive and novelist. He has traveled extensively and visited over sixty countries while based in Europe and the USA. Podojil works as an executive business advisor, strategist and coach while also pursuing his love of storytelling and writing. Podojil's first novel, The Tenth Man, was published in 2004. The Poseidon Project was published in 2024 by The Wild Rose Press, and is the first in The Herb Society Mysteries, a series of adventure and technology thrillers. Archipelago is the second book in The Herb Society Mysteries. Besides showcasing his published work, Podojil writes personal, humorous stories of his life and travels with his husband and three sons in his blog at www.ewpodojil.com.
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